Astex Taps Cancer Research UK to Carry Out Early-Stage Trials

Astex Therapeutics is employing Cancer Research UK to conduct Phase I studies of AT9283 in cancer. AT9283 is a multitargeted kinase inhibitor of Aurora kinases A and B, JAK2, and Abl kinases.

The center’s drug development office along with the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group will assess AT9283 in children and adolescents with relapsed or refractory solid tumors. An evaluation of AT9283 in children and adolescents with hematological malignancies is also planned.

Astex retains all commercial rights to AT9283 and has already completed one Phase I trial with the compound in adult patients with solid tumors. Another Phase I trial using an alternative dosing schedule in patients with solid tumors is ongoing. Additionally, the compound is showing signs of clinical activity in a Phase I/II trial in adult patients with hematological malignancies, the company reports.